Amegu village in the Nkalaha community of Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, was violently attacked by suspected herdsmen on Sunday, resulting in multiple deaths and significant property destruction. The incident is believed to be a retaliatory strike following the reported killing of cattle in the region.
Local resident Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi confirmed the attack, stating that it occurred in the early morning hours and left many residents dead, with homes reduced to ashes. “I don’t have the exact number of casualties yet. We are still in the process of locating and recovering the bodies, especially those from the farms,” he shared.
Sources indicate that among the victims was a pastor from a local Pentecostal church. One anonymous source pointed out that the community wasn’t involved in the cattle killings, stating that the act was carried out by members of the Eastern Security Network in the forest.
The Chairperson of Isheilu Local Government Area, Mrs. Ifeoma Peace Agwu, confirmed the tragic circumstances, noting, “We are currently transporting the victims’ bodies to the mortuary. I cannot provide further details right now, but we will update as we gather more information.”
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, for comments on the incident were met with unavailability, as he reportedly had no knowledge of the attack at the time.
This violent episode underscores the ongoing conflicts in the region, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and intervention to address the tensions between local communities and herdsmen.
